According to World Bank, Sub Saharan Africa will record in 2016 a growth of 3.3%, slightly higher than previous year’s 3%.

This is far from 6.8% recorded in 2013 and 2008. “Plunging prices of commodities, oil’s mainly, as well as weak global growth, in emerging economies especially are behind the lackluster performance,” the institution said in its statement.

Asides oil producers that lost a significant portion of their sources of revenues, World Bank also mentioned drought which affected hydroelectric production, and maize harvest, in Southern Africa especially.

Moreover, political tensions in Central African nations that are yet to accept alternating, added to terrorist threats also weakened African economies.

In spite of all these, the bank remains optimistic as it forecast growth at 4.5% in 2017 and 2018.